U23 Worlds: More First Indian to Enter Greco Final, Jiang First for China

LAS VEGAS, United States (October 13) -- He was India's only Greco-Roman wrestler to win two medals at the U23 World Championships and now Vishvajit MORE (IND) has become his country's first-ever Greco-Roman finalist at the U23 World Championships in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

More, a two-time bronze medalist at the U23 world level, put on a stunning performance with three close wins. He opened the day with a 10-8 win over Isaac MARIN MATA (MEX) to set up a quarterfinal against U20 world champion Armin SHAMSIPOUR (IRI). He used a four-pointer throw against Shamsipour, who seemed to have injured his shoulder, for an 8-1 win.

The semifinal against Malik GIGIEV (RUS) was equally thrilling with challenges helping both the wrestlers. More was awarded the first par terre call after the Indian made three arm-throw attempts. As More lifted Gigiev from par terre and tried throw, the Russian countered and got four points for himself. More got a front headlock and managed to throw Gigiev for four points to lead 5-4 after a long review.

The second period did not see any passivity calls but More managed a stepout on counter to make it 6-4. Russia challenged for a stepout with 10 seconds left after More stopped wrestling complaining about a headbutt. The lost challenge added a point to More's score.

To become the first Indian wrestler to win gold medal in Greco-Roman at the U23 Worlds, More will need to beat Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) who also had a thrilling semifinal against Barsbek ASANKOZHOEV (KGZ).

Asankozhoev scored six points in one sequence to lead 6-0 but Karumidze bounced back and scored six points to make it 6-6 with Asanbkozhoev leading on criteria. However, Karumidze scored exposure which was awarded two points each and the Kyrgyzstan wrestler led 8-8 on criteria. Georgia challenged the decision and on review, only Karumidze was awarded two points, making him an 8-6 winner.

Wenhao JIANG (CHN) achieved a similar feat for China as he entered the 130kg final. He became the first wrestler from China to enter a Greco-Roman final at the U23 World Championships.

He used a four-point throw in his 9-1 technical superiority win over Kevin USPENSKI (EST), winning the semifinal 9-1. He will hope to become the first U23 world champion for China in Greco-Roman

However, that will be a daunting task as he faced U20 world champion and red-hot Ali ILIASOV (RUS) who dominated his way to the finals from other side of the bracket.

Iliasov pinned Jokhar UZAROV (KAZ) in the other semifinal after both wrestlers attempted a bodylock but it was the Russian who managed to bring Uzarov down and secure the fall.

RESULTS

55kg
SF 1: Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) df. Barsbek ASANKOZHOEV (KGZ), 8-6
SF 2: Vishvajit MORE (IND) df. Malik GIGIEV (RUS), 7-4

63kg
SF 1: Manato NAKAMURA (JPN) df. Igor PUNCHENKO (RUS), 5-3
SF 2: Erfan JARKANI (IRI) df. Servet ANGI (TUR), 5-1

77kg
SF 1: Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) df. Irfan MIRZOIEV (UKR),
SF 2: Levente LEVAI (HUN) df. Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM), 

87kg
SF 1: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) df. Martin LJOSAAK (NOR), 3-1
SF 2: Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ) df. Aleksandr KRIKUKHA (RUS), 2-1

130kg
SF 1: Ali ILIASOV (RUS) df. Jokhar UZAROV (KAZ), via fall (5-0)
SF 2: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) df. Kevin USPENSKI (EST), 9-1